Client Blog: Bursaries and Incentives on Offer to Attract Trainee Teachers
A recent article in the Guardian stated that “Schools are in crisis. With
plummeting teacher training applications and difficulties in recruiting enough
staff to fill vacancies, tuition fees, unacceptable workloads and budget cuts
have all been blamed for the current shortage”.
However, there is light on the horizon!
It is actually a great time to join the profession, with
the Government and a range of innovative organisations finding ways to make
teacher training much more appealing. As its most basic level, all teacher
training courses include time spent training in at least two schools and lead
to qualified teacher status (QTS). But there are also a variety of training
routes available, to meet the needs and desires of prospective teachers,
whatever their personal circumstances.
For example, the Government is particularly keen to
attract the best and the brightest graduates into the profession. Currently, the
Department for Education (DFE) is offering tax-free bursaries and scholarships
of up to £28,000. This is to fund school-led or university-led training
resulting in a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PCGE) in numerous
essential subjects.
In addition, the government recently announced a new
bursary of £40,000 for ex-service personnel to retrain as a teacher.
Universities across the country will offer this incentive to veterans from
September.
At the same time, teaching schools are a great option for
some. Teaching schools are high-achieving schools led by strong leaders that
work with others to provide excellent training, development and support to new
and experienced school staff. Teaching schools now provide school-centred
initial teacher training which involves on-the-job training coupled with
lectured and tutorials and is often completed within a year.
Alternatively,
Teach First (an education charity) ensures that top graduates are paid a salary
from the start. This route involves a two-year position, with initial intensive
training followed by progression straight into the classroom. Successful
trainees gain a valuable Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Leadership
(PGDE).
Furthermore,
if a high-quality student is already working towards a maths or physics degree,
but has an interest in teaching, Future Teaching Scholars gives them additional
education-based training and a £15,000 grant.
Finally,
for those who have already had a successful career, but now yearn to take on a
new challenge, Now Teach is a programme designed specifically for senior
professionals in the South with a desire to change career.
The West Midlands School Leaders Conference will take
place on Friday 18th May at the Chateau Impney. System leaders and
teaching school representatives from across the region will gather at our vital
leadership learning event. As in previous years, this will be an excellent chance
to brainstorm the burning issues in schools today and also to meet and network
with other inspirational leaders. This year, there will also be opportunities
to be educated, inspired and motivated in our immersive workshops.
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